Top 12 Things to Do in Guilin, Yangshuo & Longji
Guilin is one of the most beautiful destinations in China, known for its dramatic karst mountains, winding rivers, peaceful countryside, and spectacular rice terraces. But for first-time visitors, Guilin can also be a little confusing. Are the best experiences in Guilin city itself, in Yangshuo, or in Longji?
The answer is: all three.
A great Guilin trip is not just about visiting one famous attraction. It is about combining the classic Li River scenery, the laid-back outdoor experiences of Yangshuo, and the mountain landscapes and minority culture of Longji. If you plan it well, Guilin becomes much more than a city stop. It becomes one of the most memorable parts of a China trip.
In this guide, we cover the best things to do in Guilin, including must-see sights, outdoor activities, cultural experiences, and practical tips for planning your itinerary.
1. Take a Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo
- Best for: first-time visitors, photographers, couples, relaxed sightseeing
If you only do one thing in Guilin, make it the Li River cruise.
This is the signature experience of the region and the most classic way to see Guilin’s karst landscape. As you travel from Guilin to Yangshuo, you pass bamboo-lined riverbanks, fishing rafts, small villages, and layer after layer of limestone peaks rising from the water.
It is the experience most travelers picture when they think of Guilin, and for good reason. The scenery is calm, timeless, and unmistakably Chinese.
Three Ways to Visit the Li River
Option 1: Take a luxury cruise boat from Guilin to Yangshuo Town
- Departure: from 9:00 am-9:30 every morning.
- Duration: 4-5 hours
- Price: CNY300-650, price varies based on the class of the seat.
Option 2: Take a Motorized Bamboo Raft in Xingping (1.5 hours)
The section of the Li River from Yangdi town to Xingping town is considered the soul of this landscape, and this is a great way to get up close to the Li River.
Note: for safety consideration, children that less than 7 years old or below 1.2 meters high, and seniors over 70 years old are not allowed to take the bamboo raft.
Option 3: Hiking along the Li River
For anyone who wants to see the Li River in a different way, this is a good choice; you will not only see the river but also acknowledge the local lifestyles and tranquil countryside scenery.
Hiking Route: Xianggong Hill (Putao town) → Lengshui Ferry Boat (5km, 2 hours ) → Nine Horses Fresco Hill →Xingping Town (5km, 2 hours ).
2. Explore the Yangshuo Countryside by Bike or E-Bike
- Best for: active travelers, couples, families with older kids, repeat visitors
Yangshuo is where Guilin becomes more immersive.
Instead of just looking at the scenery, you move through it. Cycling or riding an e-bike through the countryside lets you pass rice paddies, narrow village roads, water buffalo fields, and karst peaks at your own pace. It is one of the best ways to experience the Guilin region beyond the standard sightseeing stops.
Bike renting is available everywhere in Yangshou for about CNY30 per bike per day. When booking with us, a biking tour will include a visit to a local family to allow customers a deeper insight into the local life of the villagers.
3. Watch Impression Liu Sanjie in Yangshuo
- Best for: evening entertainment, culture-focused travelers, first-time visitors
For an evening activity, Impression Liu Sanjie is one of the most memorable things to do in Guilin.
There are almost 600 actors who are all local villagers. It uses both the Li River and its bank as its stage and tells a love story of Liu Sanjie, who was a very famous figure in the local folklore.
This large-scale outdoor show is staged on the river with the mountains as its natural backdrop. It combines music, lighting, local ethnic culture, and landscape in a way that feels very specific to Yangshuo.
- Address: No.1 Tianyuan Road, Yangshuo, Guilin
- Show Time: 19:30-21:00
4. Visit Reed Flute Cave
- Best for: families, rainy days, half-day sightseeing in Guilin city
Among Guilin’s cave attractions, Reed Flute Cave is the most famous and the easiest to recommend.
Inside, you will find huge chambers filled with limestone formations, dramatic lighting, and natural rock shapes that have inspired names and stories for generations. A guide can enrich your experience by sharing these tales. It is very different from the open landscapes of the Li River and Yangshuo, which makes it a good addition if you want more variety in your itinerary. Plan to spend 1 to 1.5 hours exploring.
5. Spend a Day or Night at the Longji Rice Terraces
- Best for: hikers, photographers, culture-focused travelers, slower itineraries
The Longji Rice Terraces show a completely different side of Guilin.
Instead of river scenery, you get mountain villages, layered rice fields, wooden houses, and sweeping viewpoints. Longji is one of the most famous terrace landscapes in China and is widely treated as one of the essential extensions of a Guilin trip.
If your schedule allows, staying overnight is better than doing a rushed day trip. The light is softer, the atmosphere is quieter, and you have more time to enjoy the scenery and village life.
Longsheng features three main terraced fields: Jinkeng, Ping’An, and Gu Zhuangzhai Village, each with its own unique charm.
1) Ping’An, the first developed area, hosts the famous Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon attraction.
2) Jinkeng is home to the Red Yao ethnic group and offers a cable car for easy access. The terraced fields are surrounded by mountains resembling a natural amphitheater.
3) Gu Zhuangzhai is dotted with ancient stilted houses, including seven that are over 100 years old.
6. Visit a Minority Village in the Longji Area
- Best for: travelers interested in local culture, families, and meaningful travel experiences
Longji is not only about the terraces. It is also one of the best places around Guilin to experience local minority culture.
A visit here can include wooden villages, family-run guesthouses, local cooking, and traditional customs of the Zhuang and Yao communities. This adds depth to the trip and helps Longji feel like more than a viewpoint stop.
Bamboo-stuffed rice is a landmark food in Longji. The ingredients include rice, corn, taro, and pork, stuffed in a 20cm (8in) long bamboo stem, then roasted on a fire shelf. Local people will show you every step of how to make it. It will take 40 minutes to cook, and you can get a chance to chat with the family and walk around their old wooden house.
Oil tea is a typical drink among Yao ethnic villages, particularly for those who live in the mountain area. It can quench thirst and cure rheumatism in humid mountain areas. Visiting a Yao family in Longji and learning how to make oil tea is an excellent way to experience local life.
7. See Elephant Trunk Hill in Guilin City
- Best for: first-time visitors, short city sightseeing, classic photo stops
If you want to include Guilin city itself in your itinerary, Elephant Trunk Hill is the best-known landmark.
Located at the meeting point of the rivers, the hill is famous for its shape, which resembles an elephant drinking water. It is one of Guilin’s classic symbols and still appears prominently in attraction lists for the city.
It is not the single greatest highlight of the wider Guilin region, but it is worth visiting if you want at least one iconic city sight before heading to Yangshuo or Longji.
8. Walk Around Two Rivers and Four Lakes at Night
- Best for: evening walks, couples, city stays, slower travel days
If you stay in Guilin city overnight, one of the easiest and most enjoyable evening activities is to stroll around Two Rivers and Four Lakes.
The area is especially attractive after dark, when the bridges, pagodas, and lakeside walks are lit up. It gives Guilin city a more elegant and atmospheric side that contrasts nicely with the rural scenery outside the city.
9. Visit Daxu Ancient Town
- Best for: history lovers, slower itineraries, off-the-beaten-path travelers
For a more historical and less polished stop, Daxu Ancient Town is a good addition to a Guilin itinerary.
Its old stone streets, traditional architecture, and quieter atmosphere make it appealing for travelers who enjoy places with more character and less of a theme-park feel. It is not as iconic as the Li River or Longji, but it adds variety and works well as a half-day trip.
10. Hike Up Moon Hill or Another Scenic Viewpoint
- Best for: hikers, photographers, active travelers
If you want a panoramic view of Guilin’s karst scenery, add a short hike to your itinerary.
Moon Hill in Yangshuo is one of the most popular options, known for its natural arch and countryside views. If you are staying mainly in Guilin city, a city viewpoint such as Yao Mountain or Folded Brocade Hill can also work well.
11. Take a Cooking Class in Yangshuo
- Best for: couples, families, food lovers, rainy days
A Chinese cooking class is one of the best hands-on experiences in the Guilin area.
Many travelers enjoy pairing nature-based sightseeing with one cultural activity, and cooking classes in Yangshuo are a natural fit. They usually include a local market visit, an introduction to ingredients, and a practical lesson in preparing a few dishes yourself.
12. Slow Down with a Tai Chi or Wellness Experience
- Best for: slower travel, wellness-minded travelers, culture seekers
Not every Guilin experience has to be a major sightseeing stop.
For travelers who want a slower or more reflective activity, a Tai Chi session or other wellness-style experience in the Yangshuo countryside can be a memorable addition.
FAQ About Things to Do in Guilin
What is Guilin most famous for?
Guilin is most famous for its karst mountain scenery, especially the Li River, the Yangshuo countryside, and the Longji Rice Terraces.
Is Guilin worth visiting?
Yes. Guilin is one of the most scenic destinations in China and offers a strong mix of river landscapes, countryside experiences, caves, mountain villages, and a relaxed travel pace.
Is it better to stay in Guilin or Yangshuo?
For scenery and atmosphere, Yangshuo is usually the better place to stay. For transport convenience and city sightseeing, Guilin is more practical.
How many days do you need for Guilin and Yangshuo?
Most travelers need 3 to 4 days to enjoy Guilin and Yangshuo properly. Add another day if you also want to visit Longji.
What is the best thing to do in Guilin?
The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the most iconic and most recommended experience for first-time visitors.
Travel to Guilin with Us
As Guilin natives who know the region inside out, we design private tours that give you more flexibility, more local insight, and more meaningful experiences. From iconic highlights to off-the-beaten-path discoveries, we can tailor your Guilin trip around what matters most to you. Here are some of our most popular itineraries: